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One Direction Band Members Pay Heartfelt Tributes to Liam Payne

Following Liam Payne’s tragic death at the age of 31, tributes have been pouring in for the singer, including heartfelt messages from former One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles.

liam payne

Photo: Instagram.com

Members of the much-loved British band One Direction are mourning the loss of Liam Payne, who died in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday. The singers issued a joint statement via the social media accounts of One Direction, sharing that they are “completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.” The message was signed by all members, including Malik, who left the band in 2015. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” read the statement. “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”

 

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A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn)

Tomlinson, Malik, and Styles also took to their personal accounts to pay tribute to Payne, accompanied by pictures from their time as bandmates. Malik, who posted a picture of him and Payne asleep, wrote: “I can’t help but think selfishly that there was [sic] so many more conversations for us to have in our lives. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 year old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know that you were my friend and that was loved.” The Bradford-born singer also added that although the two “butted heads” from time to time, he “always secretly respected” Payne for it.

 

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A post shared by Louis Tomlinson (@louist91)

Tomlinson shared a heartwarming picture of him and Payne on stage, writing that the late singer was “the most vital part of One Direction.” He added, “His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.” Referring to Payne’s seven-year-old son, Tomlinson said, “I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.”

 

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A post shared by @harrystyles

Styles shared a picture of Payne by himself at one of the band’s concerts, writing that “his greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be alongside him as he did it.” The 30-year-old reflected on Payne’s personality and their time as bandmates, and wrote: “Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend. My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”

 

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A post shared by Niall Horan (@niallhoran)

Horan, who recently met Payne at his concert in Argentina, expressed his bittersweet feelings over their last goodbye with a picture of him carrying his bandmate on his back. “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking,” he wrote.

Read more of the heartfelt tributes from Liam Payne’s loved ones below.

 

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A post shared by RITA ORA (@ritaora)

 

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A post shared by Cher Lloyd (@cherlloyd)

 

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A post shared by Olly Murs (@ollymurs)

Read Next: Zayn Malik on His Regret About One Direction, and the Unexpected Skill Gigi Hadid Passed On to Their Daughter

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